Exclusive: Newcastle and Nottingham Forest both targeting deal for £25m attacker before January ends
Today at 06:15 AM
TBR Football exclusively understands that Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest are keen to sign Galatasaray forward Baris Alper Yilmaz this month.
Newcastle are targeting a winger this month given that Miguel Almiron could leave the club, potentially heading back to the MLS.
And on their part, Forest are also keen to bolster their attacking ranks in January given the unexpected possibility of a Champions League finish.
Yilmaz has been in strong form for Galatasaray this season, scoring 11 goals in 28 games on the wing, with 10 of those strikes coming in the Super Lig.
The 24-year-old now has 24 caps for Turkey too, and could soon be on his way to England.
Baris Alper Yilmaz could be set for Premier League move
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that Yilmaz could yet seal a move to the Premier League before the end of the month.
As mentioned, both Newcastle and Forest are keen on Yilmaz who can play on either flank or through the middle.
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Eddie Howe wants a new winger and Yilmaz is a player who the club are keen on, someone who could come in to replace Almiron should he leave.
The Turkey international has been watched by a number of Premier League clubs over the last 12-months, and it could now be time for the winger to exit Galatasaray.
West Ham watched Yilmaz recently, but Newcastle and Forest are now among the front-runners for the exciting talent.
Virgil van Dijk praises Baris Alper Yilmaz after facing him at Euros
It is believed that Yilmaz will cost interested clubs around £25m, a figure shared by sources in Turkey.
It was also previously reported that Yilmaz was taking English lessons, fueling the idea that he is ready for the next stage of his career.
Yilmaz impressed for Turkey in the Euros last summer, leading to praise from Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.
Van Dijk was impressed by the winger's work-rate as well as his guile, a player who he would surely back to succeed in England.
Van Dijk said: "Baris Alper Yilmaz was constantly running, he was moving in a way that was out of control.
"He is a difficult player for every defender. He made it hard for us but he couldn’t score. He is a really important player."
